rn 



He SOB CABIN. 



Bg 



Srant 1. Sbumwag. 



% losm oE IiYg farts. 

II. A DfiSfiJ^SfiD HQS. 

III. G5^AZY WOMAN GANyon. 

lY. WHiSfi HAIJ^ AND Dfifil^fOOS. 
Y. SHfi MOanSAiN IsASS. 



Advocate, ashfobd, Nebraska. 



.,\^. 






- fb2^ 



St^is tl2rllli7g tale relates tl^c lot 

Of four, bv| fortarje cursed a'p^ blessed, 
Yi^o ^Welt In a scGjuestere^ spot 

jA-npotpg tr^e iipoa-^ liaii^s iip tlpe West, 
tsaclp pa»'t alof^e, coijtaiips a stoi-v], 
Clfp^i^oWrp to fanpe, obscure fronp ^ior\^. 



Copyiiul!'. A. T). IShP. by (Jiant L. Shuiuway, 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Hark! What sound is that which breaks 
Upon the stillness of the morn; 
The mountain's echo startling wakes, 
Re-echoing to the hunter's horn. 
From 'mong the timber, sprang the deer 
And bounds along the mountain sides, 
Then stops, the sound once more to hear, 
To tell from whence it came, he tries. 
Cautiously up the hill advances, 
Its ken among the tall straight pines; 
Then down the narrow glen it glances. 
With dense brush, filled, and wild grape vines. 
With ears acute and head erect. 
It watches both the hills and dale, 
As if a hunter to expect: 
Nor did its expectations fail. 
A sharp sound on the clear air rang. 
Close by its head a bullet sang. 
This told the hunters hiding place 
Was 'neath the shelter of a crag; 
So down the canyon bounds the stag; 
While gay pursuers, swiftly chase. 
Over the frosty, crystal snow. 
O'er rocky chasms, rough and deep. 
Around the bend a mile below 



THE SOD CABIN. 



It went with easy swinging leap. 

At a clear spring, it stojjped and (piaffed 

A hasty but refreshing draught. 

When from the water it had drank 

Enough, it bounded up the bank 

And turned broadside, stood looking back 

Upon its hasty beaten track. 

Until upon a tiery steed, 

Which by two deep-mouthed hounds, is led. 

The hunter round the curve, with speed 

Came; and upon its trail, he s|)ed. 

Another sharj) vibrating blast 

Resounds: and down the canyon grand 

He saw another hunting band, 

AVnich that way came and riding fast. 

It waits no more nor stands in view 

But tied, while huntsmen swift pursue. 

Now striving to escape from sight 

By veering to the left or right. 

And many a chasm does imi)ede 

Its progress, lessening its sjieed. 

And many a boulder in its way 

Compelled its ra})icl course to sway. 

Each bound, the cold incentive feels 

The hunters were upon its heels. 

The dismal blool-hounds chorus rings 

And startles precipice and rocks. 

Each long drawn liowl, seemed lending Avings, 

Each bay the <piivering tendril shocks. 

No lingering for a moment's breatli 

Fo]' 'twas a race of life or death. 

Beneath the snow encumbei-ed pines. 

Now tangled in the hanging vines; 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



The tumult does the hills awake. 
Over hill-top, down the glen. 
Then climbs the mountain side again. 
Its height is reached, one look again 
Then off o'er table-land and plain. 
And from their course the wild birds fly. 
Jack rabbits speeding swiftly by, 
The buzzards soaring far and near. 
Watched tirst the running, frightened deer 
Then the pursuing chevalier; 
For onlj^ one was in the race. 
Of all that once had given chase. 
This was a high-born Eastern swain 
Who sought wild life upon the plain. 
He ne'er before had hunted deer, 
And little knew their wary ways; 
He'd heard those tales we oftimes hear 
While sitting by the camp fire's blaze. 
Will Curtis severed every tie 
That bound him to an Eastern home. 
The longing impulses to roam 
Had dragged him 'neath the Western sky. 
Long had the game passed from his view, 
Its trail he followed o'er the snow. 
Swift as the winds that come and go, 
How far the huntsman little knew. 
Three times he saw the prize that day, 
It was ahead and far away 
And on a ridge stood looking back 
To see if he was on its track: 
Each time it saw him on the plain, 
Each time went runnino; on again. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



How long should he continue on? 

He gazed at the declining sun; 

Saw the approach of eventide. 

He pats his foam flecked pony's side. 

Its flowing mane he gently strokes, 

Then forward on the trail he looks 

And started, for quite near he spied 

The object of his weary ride. 

It started too, again it fled 

xVnd down a nairow canyon led; 

Excitement had begun anew. 

He plies the rowels to his horse. 

Urged by the spur his courser flew 

Unwavering from its course. 

Yet with the deer he ke))t no pace. 

But still continues in the race. 

The horse, its strength, now well nigh spent 

No longer ground the fretted steel 

Its fiery pace slow did relent 

The rowel, scarcely seemed to feel. 

The rider to its reeking side 

The stinging whip, with vigor plied; 

The jaded steed urged to pursue 

'Till burst on his astonished view 

rhe i)rettit'st place in all the land 

Dame Nature's home, a canyon grand. 

Rose Prairie, which before him lay 

A crystal mantle was uj)on; 

The setting sun at close of day 

A thousand stars, reflecting shone. 

Across this plain the deer had gone. 

Across the plain he followed on; 

And charging througii the ten-foot brake 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Went hound and hunter after beast, 

'Till right before them lay a lake 

Which stret-ched far to the West and East. 

'Twas frozen o'er, with but a crust 

And broken where the deer had crossed; 

Among the brakes and in the wood 

That grew upon the other shore 

Plunged panting deer, but not pursued; 

Tiie weary band gave chase no more. 

The hunter to the waters brink 

Kneit down and took a hearty drink, 

His horse, with nostrils swelling wide 

Stood panting, trembling by his side. 

When he arose; while to his feet 

His hounds came whining, worn complete. 

The sun had set, the evening sun 

Behind the hills, the chase is done. 

No food for horse or hound or man, 

His situation now began 

At last, to dawn upon his mind. 

"Where am I now," the huntsman cried. 

"I for adventure often sighen 

In days gone b}^, but now I find 

Its pleasures but a fancied dream, 

A vision fair, a fabled theme, 

For which the passionate heart of youth 

Would not yearn if it knew the truth. 

Wliere will I ))ass the thickening night? 

How anxiously I'll wait for light. 

Some snowy bank my bed shall be. 

For covering a cedar tree. 

My saddle blanket 'round me fold. 

My sado'le to suj)[)ort my head. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Lie down to perish here, of cold; 

Adventure gay, thy pleasure's dead!" 

His weary horse, to graze, he tied. 

His weary hounds laid down beside. 

Among the rocks he takes a look, 

He tinds therein a sheltered nook. 

The cold hard stones should be his ])ed, 

A rock projecting overhead. 

Though cold the couch in which he'd lain 

Yet peace and slumber o'er him crept. 

When nearly dawn, flashed thro' his brain 

Wild fancies as he dreamed and slept. 

He dreamed that waking in the dawn 

He found his noble steed was gone. 

Ui)on the snow his liounds lay dead 

And he alone, was in the wood: 

He took the horse's trail that led 

Away and followed as he could 

Out of the woods, across the phiin. 

And in the briars and brakes again: 

It crossed a sparkling stream where l)lay 

Respondent to the sunlight ray. 

Reflecting colors, from the spray. 

But where this murmuring stream he crossed 

Somehow, the pony's trail he lost. 

While struggling on the bushes through 

He found a footprint in the snow, 

A human trail. 

He started back 
•My eyes decieve, my fears abound. 
It can.t be possible I've found 
Within this lirush a woman's track: 
A woman in this desolate wild, ' 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



A maiden scarce more than a child" 
And starting up he followed on 
The way the maiden's track had gone. 
With mystic feelings, strange and queer 
Far, far away his ken he cast, 
To where the rugged hillsides rear 
Their columns to the East and West. 
Upon a plain that stretches near 
He saw a maid: — the vision passed. 
He 'Avoke, he 'rose, for it was dawn 
When lo! His horse was truly gone. 
His hounds lay dead, the snow upon. 
His dream was topmost in his mind 
The horse's trail he sought to find, 
rhey trai!, the brakes, the liashing stream, 
All passed as they had in the dream. 
The maiden's footprints in the snow 
Were followed down the narrow glen. 
He looked ahead and stopped, for lo! 
There was the maiden on the plain. 
With careless grace she sauntered on 
Sung snatches of some joyous song, 
Like one who never knew of wrong. 
Then passed beneath a grove. — "She 's goi 
This surely is no dream; who knows, 
But I have seen the Prairie Rose? 
How curious, how strange, that he 
Should find this maid within the wild. 
And wondered where her home might be, 
Or if she was "Nobody's (^hild." 
Or if mayhap, she was the one. 
Of whom he'd heard old hunters tell. 
Whose skill with pistol, knife or gun 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Xo border rustic could excel. 

She fearless came to the frontier 

Civilization left behind; 

The place for antelojje and deer. 

It was the place she sou,<>-ht to And. 

Could this lii>ht steppin<j^ little fairy 

Be that fearless, dauntless one 

Whose a])pellation far was known 

As the Wild Rose upon the ])rairie?" 

Twas thus he mused, while folloAvinu' on 

The way the lovely maid had i^one. 

'Till piishino; through a cedar wood 

Suddenly comes an open space 

In wiiich a small Ioij' cabin stood. 

It was indeed a home like place; 

Four walls were laid up eii^lit logs liio-h 

And cedar poles and ])oug'hs and hay 

Performed the part of canopj'. 

On which a tieecy cover lay. 

A ])()rticoone end doth grace; 

'Twas made of rough hewn j)oles and hay: 

While at the other a tire place 

Was built of sods, stones, rocks and clay. 

One window small and one small door 

To which the maid's track led before. 

He was enchanted with the spot. 

xVnd briskly walked across the lot 

And knocked; a voice within replied: 
•Come, stranger, come, and welcome here. 

The cabin door was o)>ened wide. 

He saw within, an aged seei", 

A gentle dame, a kindly siiw 

All sittin;>bv a cozv fire. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



The lady he had seen before 
Was standing hokling wide the door. 
Not long upon the porch he staid 
Bnt made obeisance to the maid, 
Then bent to pass within the door 
Upon a soft and tnfted floor. 
A car])et of deer skins was made 
And on tlie earthen floor was laid, 
While skins of wild beasts, tanned and dried, 
Hung on the walls on every side, 
And knives and guns all hung in place, 
Which told their life was of the chase. 
He sat before the glowing fire 
Conversing with the seer and sire; 
The dame alid maiden, here and there 
Flitted, a breakfast to prepare. 
While he to them related o'er 
Experience of the day before. 
He told of his long weary ride 
Of loosing deer at eventide, 
His dream upon his stony bed 
His pony gone, his hounds were dead. 
Without a steed, without a hound 
The trail he took, the prairie o'er, 
I Until the maiden's track he found 

And followed to the cabin door. 
The old man cast a piercing glance 
First at the youth then at the maid, 
Then said, — "My lady now perchance 
You'll look more careful when 3'ou're bade. 
; I told you when I woke this morn, 

j That if you would go to the lakes 

! You'd find a man sad and forlorn, 



THE SOD CABIN. 



And girl, I never make mistakes. 
Yon went, looked carelessly, came back, 
The yonng man happened on yonr track. 
Will told how once where fortune smiled 
On him and 'round him fashion gay 
He dwelt, but now was far away. 
Had left all, for adventure wild; 
The lively hunt, the joy it gives. 
And yet the tirst deer he crossed 
Had led him on 'till he was lost. 
Still in his heart the ])leasure lives. 
Then spake the seer: "If 'tis for game 
You have beyond the border come. 
Rest now with us, you'll find the same; 
You're welcome in our humbhe home. 
Unless there's some unsevered tie 
Binds to the friends which you have left." 
Will thus replied him: "None will sigh. 
Xor by my action will be mifPed. 
They said I was a tenderfoot 
l^ecause I knew not how to shoot. 
Tney shot my bootheels while I danced 

For them their merriment enhanced; 

I'm glad to bid their camp adieu, 
I'm glad I'm welcome here with you. 
This fair young maid with flashing ken. 
With cheek where health so ruddy glows 
Shall make of me a border man, — 
And she shall be my Prairie Rose." 
"Well, well," the aged seer replied. 
The maid shall surely be your bride. 
"But cautious be for there is one 
Who soon will be here, you must shun. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



He'll hate thee at his earliest sight, 

Will challenge thee urge thee to fight: 

Refuse or he will kill the lad. , „ „,i -,, 

Remember now what I have said, <; 

Do nothing to jirovoke his wrath, 

Endeavor to keep from his path, „ 

Evade his footsteps everywhere; 

If for a while he hovers near f ,.;. , 

Just leave him undisputed here; ,,.„ 

Evacuate the canyon fair. i.. , , 

And when you do evacuate ,„ . ,, 

On leaving, you must separate, ,,,j. 

Go by a various path. , ,^ .: ^.^ 

Do not, 
I pray, lament on leaving here 
Though memory ch-errishes this S2)0t. 
You'll meet again so have no fear. ^,, 
For sorrow in this vale must come, ., ,, , 
Destroying happiness and home. ■, ,,.,,,;,: 
A gloomy curtain over all ,„ . *'' 

Like sabled night shall fall." 

He slopped he gasped fell frorn his chair- 

A quivering trunk, lay trembling tji^re; 

The household gathered at his side, 

While stuggling violently, he died. 

He never lived to tell the tale 

Of severing hearts and sorrow deep;,. ^-,^ .-f^ , 

A gloomy shadow o'er the vale Ay. .,,^, . /, ,p " 

Fell and those left were left to wi^^p. 

They made for him no narrow grave; 

A natural se[)u!cher was found^j^ ^|h 

His form was laid witliin a cave, 

And stones were piled the entrance round. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Thus his remains they laid away. 

Ere long the opening spring like boom 
Dispelled the thickening, darkening gloom 
And left the future bright as day. 
Again there came the spring-like showers, 
Again the various colored flowers. 
The sweet voiced birds, the meadow lark s 
Sweet lay is heard from dawn till dark. 
Yet, to the maid all brought the strain 
That back the cloud would come again. 
The hunter often sat and talked 
With her in merriment and glee; 
They often through the forest walked 
Or rested 'neath some shady tree; 
And with elastic step, they take 
Their course quite often to the lake; 
Behind the willow bushes stand 
While at their feet the foam flecked sand 
Shone in the sun, while splashing o'er 
It, ripples washed upon the shore. 
Out on the waving, golden tide_ 
The snowy swans would fearless ride 
Upon its surface, free and gay, 
The water dashing, scattering spray. 
When stepping from their hiding place 
The birds so tame they would not fly. 
But sail away with matchless grace 
While casting back a shining eye. 
One day he turned, while overhead 
A little bird, his story heard. 
These rapturous words. 

He trembling said, 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 19 

That she was like the lovely bird. 

For she was pure and sweet and fair 

And with a matchless graceful air. 

With cheek aglow and eyes cast down 

She feigned surprise, but 'twas in vain. 

Her waist his arm encircled round. 

He kissed her o'er and o'er again. 

But shyly from his arms she drew, 

Her color quickly came and went; 

Some struggle in her soul he knew 

Was going on and soon would vent. 

A half defiant look she gave 

Then glanced across the glittering wave 

And seemed absorbed in thought; nor could 

He understand her attitude. 

That form, that face, that raven hair! 

It seemed none ever was so fair. 

What strange resemblance does she bear 

To one I knew long years ago. 

Sweet Minnie Kemp, the village belle; 

She disappeared, so sudden too, 

What came of her no one could tell. 

The village people lost their sense. 

Went wild and searched both far and near; 

She left a vast inheritance 

Which relatives bequeathed to her. 

I then was but a little lad, 

But ne'er forgot the kindness shown 

By this rich lady of the town 

To people who but little had. 

And I remember later came 

A small, dark, wiry man, Ben Lane, 



THE SOD CABIN. 



To the inheritance laid claim, 

Endeavored hard his case to gain 

But when the court's decission gave 

His case no standing "twas dismissed. 

Ben's action proved he was a knave, 

For through his close clenched teeth he hissed 

Dire vengence on the jurymen. 

His sullen and vindictive look 

As hitherward his course he took 

Made many think he'd come again. 

He never did. 

Still for the heir 
Tlie property is waiting there.. 
How this young maid resembles hdl-'.^';"^ '> 
He scrutinized her as she stood *' ^^-^ - 
In that deep and reflecting mood. 
The clouds and sunlight o'er her1br6w''*i 
Alternately were chasing now. "-:' 

What was that battle in her soul ''; ^ ' 
Which she was striving to control? ' ^'' 
Convulsively her small form shook, "^ '«'> 
Then came a brave and resolute look:'* ^' 
"Twas over now and seemed to saj/"': "" 
■•I'll do the right let come what may." 

•Will," she began, "you know that'you "' : 
Once told me of your fair haired lass. 
What would she think [)oor girl? Alas! 
It you in absence })rove untrue. 'O^i 
Ah! This must never come to pass- — 

Go back to her Come "iioi t(^ me— 

Unless she kindly sets you free 
Of her free will.* ^sjr 

I cannot speak 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



The love I have for you, but ere 
I'd have you her engagement break, 
Let base dishonor your name share, 
I'd suffer pain no tongue could tell, 
My heart with anguish overflow, 
My life-blood break its prison cell 
And make a crimson flood for you. 
Go back to j^our fair Isabelle, 
Forget the wild girl in the dell." 
One sad reproachful look she gave 
Him as she slowly turned to leave. 

A stinging pain shot to his heart 

And pierced it like a quivering dart. 

His countenance was flushed with shame 

To join dishonor with his name. 

"Please Lilly do not leave me so, 

Your virtues I more highly prize 

On hearing what you've said. 

But know. 

Will Curtis will not tell you lies. 

So when I tell you I am free. 

Bound by no promises or ties, 

Perhaps you'll kindly think of me. 

Here, read this note " With trembling hand, 

He casts a letter on the sand 

Before her heavy downcast eyes. 

She picks it up — her eyes she dries — - 

And reads the missive's contents through: 

Viola, State of 

March 27th, '75. 
Will Curtis: 

Sir. — I freely give 
You back the longed for liberty, 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Am glad to know that I am free. 
Our jiromises were prematm-e 
.\ik1 brought about by other hands. 
Neither are satistied I'm sure 
While our engagement stands. 
Like you. my heart for freedom yearned 
Until you did that freedom send. 
AVith this your kindness I've retui'ued. 
Kememl)er me 

Your sincere friend 
Belie Morton. 

"Will, anotiier star 
Shall guide my future, brighter far 
Than any T have ever known 
Save one, and that from Heaven shone. 
This letter has revealed to me 
Your noble heart, and that it's fi-ee. 
So if on me, unworthy me. 
You would its tenderness bestow, 
I'll gladly give my heart to thee. 
You'll gently care for it I know." 
Again he clasped her to his breast 
And joyous, rai)turous kisses pressed • 
To her sweet lips upturned to his 
As if to seal eternal bliss. 
While standing thus in close embrace. 
Her face upturned to meet his face. 
Some pjwer seemed to bear away 
Her mind in which bright visions i)lay. 
A statel}' mansion on a hill 
In which were dwelling her and Will. 
Rich paintings on the frescoed wall. 
Lace draj)ery and curtains fall. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Tlie rustling silk, the marble floors, 
AViiile servants came at her command, 
Their footsteps heard on every hand 
Resounding through the corridors. 
The mist floats from before her eyes, 
'Twas but a dream of 2)aradise. 

Their future sealed their homeward way 
They step with hearts so light and gay. 
Not long their happiness immarred 
Remained in sweet felicit}': 
t-.uon by displeasure it was scarred. 
And followed by deep misery. 
One morning to a thicket by. 
The maiden wandered carelessly, 
With easy step, exultingly 
Repeating some sweet melody. 
AVill seated was upon the grass 
A\'a-tching the disapj)earing lass. 
She passed from sight into the wood, 
He dro])})ed into a musing mood. 
\Vas only 'wakened from his dream 
By hearing first a startling scream. 
And then a stifled smothered sound 
Which to the rescue made him bound, 
Arrived there just in time to see 
His darling treasure borne away. 
Borne on but with disputed sway 
P^)r she was struggling to get free. 
He forward sprang to strike the knave 
AVho faced about, one look he gave 
At Will with that sharj), wicked ken. 
Will stopped; ])chold, 'twas Scarface Ben. 
"Ben Lane or my vision is vain." 



24 THE SOD CABIN. 



"You're right, Will Curtis, I'm Ben Lane. 

Sir, I'm surprised at your appearing. 

But with my plans no interfering 

Or you'll suffer for 3'our blindness.'" 

One hand on his stiletto lingers. 

The other holds the lady's fingers 

"Wretch, " Will cried, "You have the kindness 

To release the lady's fingers; 

To me uniiarmed the maid deliver 

Or else your heart shall cease to quiver 

At touching of this keen-edged knife. 

Release her or release your life." 

He drew his glittering deadly blade 

And sprang u})on his wary foe. 

Who loosed his hold uj)on tlie maid. 

Compelled to let it go. 

The maiden at this liberty, 

Turned from the struggling men to flee. 

But stopped behind a friendly bush 

To watch the battle in the brush. 

While with undaunted courage still 

AVili l)attled with scar face's skill. 

But Ben evades each deadly stroke; 

Watching his chance gave Will a blow. 

He dropped knife with yearnful look 

And fell before his wary foe. 

Ben placed his foot u})ou his head. 

Dip])ed in the blood his stiletto. 
"Dead! Dead! My poor, poor Will is dead. 
He died for me, unworthy me. 
Oh! What a life I would have led 
If he had not thus made me free. 
Much rather I too should be dead 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 25 



Than live in Ben's captivity. 

Vet, MHtli my dear Will lying dead 

Life has no charm for me. 

Off to the lake I'll hasten me 

Within its waves resign my breath; 

Its sandy bed my bed shall be; 

We part in life, we meet in death. 

But no, — that would be suicide, 

My life, m}^ hand shall end — no. never; 

Altbouu'h poor Will, for me has died, 

I'll live in agony forever. 

When her })oor parents saw her face 

Tear stained, and look of agony, 

They ask her what had taken place, 

She told her story brokenly. 

The father took his favorite gun 

Down from the rafters overhead. 

'Tf I but see the other one 

He too, shall die" he said. 

The trio quickly wend their way. 

To Avhere the senseless William lay. 

But Scarface Ben was there no more. 

Dee]) in the forest he withdrew 

He needed allies, now he knew 

To bring success his steps before. 

Poor Lillie knelt, AVill's form beside 

And laid his hoad u])on her breast. 

To sto}) the crimson flood she tried 

As kisses on his brow she pressed. 

]^o tears fell from her aching eyes. 

No sobs welled from her stricken heart. 

Benumbed are both. Those severed ties 

Pierce like a poisoned, (juivering dart. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



And there she knelt, and none can know 
The awful depth of tearless woe, - 
Save those, who sometime suffered so. 
"To think it was for me he died; 
For me, his life, he freely gives," 
She said, but suddenly she cried 
"He lives, he lives, he breathes, he lives!' 
The crimson blood had ceased to tlow. 
The sands with it were deei)ly dyed; 
The others Unelt his form Ijeside. 
Found what she said was even so. 
For he was faintly breathing now. 
His breath came slow and painfully. 
Faint color Hushed upon his brow. 
His muscles quivered constantly. 
He o])ened those blue, tender eyes. 
His vision seemed not fully clear. 
His friends he seemed to recognize. 
And faintly whis})ered, "Lillie, dear." 
"My darling jewel! Oh my own — " 
Then came a stifled, smothering moan. 
And in low quavering tones, he said. 
"Oh, take me to the cabin please." 
A hold upon his form they laid 
And bore him gently back, with ease; 
He muttering incoherently, 
AVhile Lillie soothes him tenderly. 
They laid him down ujion abed 
They dressed his wound most carefully. 
She took a seat close by his head 
To watch his breathing prayerfully. 
"From loss of l)lood." the old man said, 
"He's faint, but then this little wound 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 87 

Or gash, no vital spot hath found; 
He's only weak from what he's bled." 
The work was surely deeper wrought, 
And Will was worse than he had thought. 
The maid sat by him days and days 
Before his conciousness returned. 
The raging fever fiercely burned; 
Naught could his sinking spirits raise. 
Oh! Vill he perish? No, the God, 
That rules the world did not intend 
He should thus die, but spared the rod 
To save him for a better end. 
Ere long the clutching iron hand 
Released its grasp upon the man. 
After the battle in the bush 
Ben refuge took, within the brush. 
And hidden 'neath its friendly shade 
Dark j)lots and vicious plans he laid. 

"So I have found the place at last; 

Now my revenge will be complete. 

Yes I will spoil this pleasure sweet, 

A shadow o'er this valley cast. 

That maiden, she shall be my wife. 

That, do I swear upon my life. 

She does no not love me, — I am glad, 

For if the little creature had 

Tt surely would have drove me mad 

To be revenged upon the sire. 

I hate him and I hate his wife;" 

He muttered to himself with ire. 

•'They dashed my hopes, blighted my life; 

That livid scar across my brow 

Came there, by whom, and when, and how,? 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Why. by his hand, when to the earth 

He crushed me in my native berth, 

The fortune which was mine, I tho't, 

He took from me by treachery, 

And manfully 1 'rose and fought. 

Was whipped, aye he has beaten me. 

My turn will come, just bear in mind, 

But tirst some friendly aid I'll find. 

That victim of my two edged sword. 

Of course will put them on their guard, 

I've settled him alright, I guess. 

I've to encounter, now. one less." 

He climbs the hill, the valley scans. 

Then left to carr}' out his plans. 

He muttered as aback he cast 

A glance: — 'My time has come at last." 

We left Will in the cabin home 

Recovering from his wound, 

But days and days must go and come 

Before his health is sound. 

But when he had recoveren quite 

He hitherward, must take his flight; 

For well they knew that Scarf ace Ben 

Some evil hour would come again. 

Thrice, while they dwelt in eastern climes 

Matters they thought to reconcile. 

But he accused them of great crimes 

And answered them in language vile. 

His presence now would cause them pain; 

Their happiness he would harass; 

Perhaps the ])arents would be slain. 

That he might get the little lass. 

Bear her awav in shame to die 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 29 

In bis brutal captivity. 
Ahis! But tbey must leave tbeir borne 
To seek anotber far aw^ay; 
Once more tbe wide, wild prairies roam 
And leave tbe canyon, flowered gay, 
To seek tbe unknown west again. 
To find some bidden mountain glen, 
Toward tbe distant setting sun. 
And buman babitations sbun. 
Will was tbe first, wlio fortb must roam 
Perbaps, forever, tbey must j)art, 
But bere witbin tbis unny borne 
He leaves tbe sunsbine of bis beart. 
"Weknow tbis seems a witbering gale 
To bligbt tbe tender plant of love 
To bud no more, except above; 
Yet by God's guidance on Life's plain, 
Tbe old man said we'd meet again, 
Old Mascot's words will never fail. 
Do you remember, Lillie, dear, 
Tbose last words of tbe aged seer? 
Tbe full trutb of tbose words we'll own, 
But it may be in years to come, 
Wben we around tbe Great Wbite Tbroue, 
In peace, at last, are gatbered bome. 
I now must bid a fond adieu 
Maybap 'till o'er Life's sbining river. 
Yet my beart sball be true to 3'ou; 
Farewell! — I trust 'tis not forever." — 
Poor Lillian, tbe burning tears 
Swift, cbased eacb otber o'er ber brow. 
As tbougbts reflect on bappy years. 
And brigbt borne circle, broken now. 



30 THESOD CABIN. 



The youthful fancies gnilded bright. 
Fair visious she had seen before. 
All vanished, naught remained but night, 
Her life a shadow passes o'er. 

"Lillie. weep not, be brave and bold. 
For ere the earlr morning sun 
Shall tip the mountain tops with gold 
Onee more. I'll be a wandering one. 
Yes. yes. farewell, for we must part, 
Although it crushes each fond heart. 
Upon a journey I must start. 
And you too. Lillian must go; 
Oh I when, if ever shall we meet? 
Oh! will it l)e on earth below 
Or Heaven in. where next we greet? 
Now we nuist liope and watch and i)ray 
And ever faitliful to Him be. 
The Savior leads us all the way. 
We shall meet in Eternity." 
"Oh I must we sever, ever here 
And nevc^r know those sacred ties. 
Which has bound us for half a year. 
Until we meet beyond the skies." 
•'That in the book of life is found 
If God's will leadeth us apart. 
May He some balm ])our in each wound, 
Within each pierced heart. 
Ha! see those gray streaks in yon sky 
Foretell the wakening of day; 
The morning breezes softly sigh, 
I hear tlie merry lark's sweet lay. 
Farewell! farewell my sweet wild flower 
That blossoms in this hidden glen; 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Oh! may God grant some happy horn- 
When we shall meet again. 
The light comes reeling o'er the way; 
Fairest of fair, divinest grace, 
Adieu! For I must leave this place, 
Farewell! — one kiss — then I'm away." 
He 's gone! the flowers cease to bloom 
And all the birds refuse to sing; 
The joy the morning sun doth bring- 
Like dew has vanished, naught but gloom 
Remains. Her sorrow deeper grows. 
Her burning tears a torrent flows. 
She wipes them dry and looks again 
Across the undulating plain, 
A lofty hilltop, Will has gained. 
To see his love, his eyes he strained, 
He stopped to wave a last farewell. 
He waves his hand, a kiss he throws 
Back to the cottage in the dell, 
Back to his Prairie Rose. 
And see! she stands amid the groves, 
Her 'kerchief waving to and fro; 
She throws a kiss to him she loves: 
He waves his long and last adieu. 

Oh! sad the parting of this twain, 
Their pure young hearts thus rent asunder. 
A sadder parting on the plain 
Has ne'er occured, God's vision under. 
When two young hearts together blend 
In tender love and unity. 
Oh why will He some shadow send 
And leave them both in misery, 
To leave the future black as night. 



32 THE SOD CABIN. 

The tender conis of love to sever. 

The early ho[)es of youth to hliuht 

Forever and forever. 

Her light, her guiding star was gone. 

The light of God, —the Sun,— shone on, 

The gay stream chattered o'er its bed 

Of ])ebhles; 

While above her head 
Flit singing birds and humming bee. 
Yet all seemed em])t3' moekery. 
Her sorrow crushed her to tiie earth. 
Again the bitter tears were shed. 
She wondered why God gave her l)irth. 
And wished that she were dead. 
' OhI why this lingering death should be. 
Shall I— shall I— this blade of steel — 
One blow my heart's blood will congeal. 
A glittering poniard from her breast 
She drew when by this impulse presso i. 
And raised the hand to strike the blow 
To make her blood a fountain tiow, 
But her God stayed the death -like blow. 
And paralyzed death's dealing hand; 
With hand and face like driven snow 
An icy statue does she stand, 
With thankful heart, she silent praised 
The guidance of the Heavenly Master, 
She stood, her white arm still upraised, 
Like monumental alabaster. 

With greatfulness her soul imbued. 

Remained she in this attitude. 

Impressive, silent, motionless. 

A moment still she linoered thus. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. m 

Then forward fell with one wild cry. 
Betokening deep agony. 

"Thank God! The Avild fancy is o'er! 
It thrills me to ray bosom's core, 
To think that I, — though great the pain — 
Would let the furies rule my brain. 
My father, mother love me still, 
And I love them as much as Will." 

As though with strength from Heaven sent 
She 'rose and to the cabin went; 
She cheerful, flitted to and fro. 
Of many cares, her mother freeing, 
For on the morrow, they must go, 
Depart without Old Scarface seeing. 

Ah! they should see the snow-capped heights; 
The Rocky peaks, and there to roam 

Amid those awe inspiring sights. 
Where old Dame Nature makes her home. 
Or they some mighty clifl' would gain 
And scan the landscape far and near, 
To see gamboling o'er the plain 
The careless antelope and deer. 
When noonday sun so fiercely burns, 
To rest beneath some jutting crag; 
When Even, cool and fresh returns, 
Again to chase the hunted stag. 
To lead a life that 's free from sin, 
From sorrow and all cares and strife; 
To taste the joy that 's found within 
The wild free air of mountain life. 

'Twas night; the toils of day were done. 
The trio to their cots were gone; 



THE SOD CABIN. 



The sire and dame in dreams were lost 
And breathing heavy sound and deep. 
In restlessness the maiden tossed, 
Her nerves ilnstrung, she eould not sleep; 
She paced the floor, then once again 
Lay down with cool collected brain 
And slept, but 'twas a troubled sleep, 
To wake in fright and startled spring 
Out on the floor, while cold chills creep 
O'er her as she stood shivering. 

The moon high u}) the Heavenly dome. 
Shed her pale light around the home. 
A few stray mellow moon-beams bright 
Flooded the cabin with their light. 
What makes me stand here suddering so, 
There 's naught to happen us, I know. 
Xo gentle murmur of the breeze 
Was heard, and not a leaflet stired. 
Not e'en the twitter of a bird 
Came from their nests among the trees; 
But through the night, so calm and still, 
She heard a whistle, clear and shrill. 
She bolts the door with sudden move, 
Then springs to wake those whom she loves; 
But ere her mission she had done, 
Ere she was half across the floor; 
Ten brawny men burst wide the door: 
Old Scarface Ben had won. 

Her parents wakened by her shrieks 
And by the screaming, howling band, 
Start from their cots, before them stand; 
So frightened they — that neither speaks. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 35 

They seize the sire, his limbs they tie. 
Then out into the darksome night. 
The}' bore him from poor Lillie's sight; 
She tho't they took him forth to die. 
One Redman seized the trembling maid 
She shrank beneath his iron grasp; 
With effort strong she frees his clasp. 
Stands danntless, brave and undismayed. 
"Ha! bold Ben Lane, that vile disguise 
Only deceives the human eyes, 
None can mistake that vicious grasj) 
When once they've felt its wicked clasp; 
I thought it strange that Spotted Tail, 
The noble chieftian of the Sioux, 
Should ever in his friendship fail; 
But nov^ I find 'tis caused by you. " 
"You hold me not, nor never can, 
Though I'm a woman, you a man; 
I care not which, many or few 
Your numbers are, I'll never yield 
And subjugate myself to you, 
Nor bow beneath the rod you weild." 
"My blood a crimson fount shall be, 
This is the blade to set me free." 
And quickly from her sheath she drew 
A glittering dagger to their view. 
AVith a strange, wild and maddened shriek 
That made the very woodland start. 
She strove to pierce him to the heart 
And thus her vengence wreak. 
One blow she struck, another blow 
Would surely lay her victim low. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



The hand was raised, the blow it fell, 
It was directed sure and well; 
But ere it reached its destination 
A hand had caused its arrestation. 

So near to death, was Scarface pressed 
The da<^ger's point had touched his breast: 
She turned in fury on the man 
Who thus had staid the falling hand, 
And plunged the blade into his side. 
He staggered back, and fell and died. 
Another Redman siezed the maid 
And raised aloft his heavy blade. 
A fearful blow, with deadly aim 
Towards her raven ringlets came; 
But at this moment came a shrill 
Wild shriek that rent the very air; 
The creeping blood a tremor thrills. 
At this sharp cadence of despair. 
With maddened shriek and gesture Avild 
The mother sprang to save her child. 
The rapidly descending blade 
Struck her, and never harmed the maid. 
She struggled back, with feeble moan, 
Sank down upon her own hearthstone. 
The maiden was not hindered now, 
So to her mothers side she flew. 
To ])ress a kiss upon her brow. 
Then bounded off, the doorway through. 
A narrow pathway through the wood 
She sprang along, fast as she could; 
Pursuers chasing close behind, 
Fleet-footed as the western wind: 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 

She crossed the brook, she reached the lakes, 
Concealed her-self among the brakes. 
Far, far behind way down the glen 
She heard piiisuing, searching, men; 

They nearer drew. 

She trembling lay. 
With-holding e'en her very breath. 

Lest it her hiding 2)lace betray . 
And give her to her^foes and death. 

They pass her by while curses deep 

Their leader, Ben, upon them heaji: 
The man, who struck the blow which fell 
The noble woman, cursed he well. 
"To torture, would I gave to you 
The man, and gave the woman, too, 
Had you performed your duty well. 
Captured the fair maid of the dell. 
But now the woman yon have slain, 
The maid is free upon the plain. 
The man. with us we'll bear away. 
To turn him loose some future day." 
The voices fainter, fainter grew 
As farther off the rufflans drew; 
When all the sounds had died away 
The maid arose from where she lay, 
Xauaht but a thin night dress she wore, 
This stained with mud and stained Avith gore; 
With marble brow, and raven hair. 
And eyes that told of her despair. 

"Oh God!" she cried, "this bitter night! 
(^h wretched, wretched is my plight; 
I can but read my future doom, 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Dee])er, deeper grows the gloom. 
I've nothing left to live for now." 
Again the tears coursed o'er her brow. 

"Yes, I must wander on this ])lain. 

Upon the dreary, weary main. 

On such sustenance, I must live 

As roots and leaves and berries give; 

Upon this kind of nutriment, 

I'll try to find some settlement. 
1 But if I ])erish on the way. 

There in the bleaching sun I'll lay. 
And rot; 

Or else will form a feast 

For cayotes or some hungry beast; 

Great God! if this should be my lot I 
I faint beneath the awful thought. " 
Her strength had fled, the mental strain 
A¥as too great for her tender brain, 
8he forward reeled with feeble moan 
And sank into a death-like swoon. 

The sun was shining in her face 

When she awoke; 

A glance she cast, 
A curious glance around the j)lace; 
Tried to recall that which had passed. 
In vain, but still she knew that she 
Was all alone and wild and free. 
That she must search the plain and wood 

For necessary food. 
The dark fore])oding, which before 
Beset her brain had now jiassed o'er; 
Her firm set features pictured, now. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 

Determination on her brow. 

She turns, bids farewell to the lakes, 

Bends, tak(:?s a drink, then leaves the brakes. 
The tender plant, the Prairie Rose, 
U[)on her weary journey goes. 
Why need we tell the suffering 
That she endured while wandering. 

All summer long she wandered wide, 
Upon the bleak unbroken prairies; 
Subsisted on roots, shrubs and berries; 

Of hunger, often nearly died. 
The Running Water and the Platte, 
The Laramies and Sebil were passed. 
She came to Horse Creek's narrow flat, 
The mountains were in sight at last. 
She wandered on for days and days 
Until she stood the foothills by, 
The Rocky Gap, a wondrous place, 
With stee}) bare walls, all tow'ring high. 
A flashing stream, a rugged trail. 
Passed through the dee}) and narrow vale; 
AVhile Willow trees and Cottonwood 
Along the water edges stood. 
Beneath the bushes, to the east 
AVas hidden from the maid a feast, 
The bushes now, before the maiden 
With mountain fruit, were heavy laden. 

When she had eaten quite enough. 

She kept on picking berries off 
And from her tattered gown, a rag- 
She tore and made a berry bag 
This full of mountain fruit she tied 



40 THE SOD CABIN. 

And started up the mountain side. 

Its heiglit was reached, she turned to scan 
The valley fair, and saw a man 
Who nearer, nearer drew. 
The wild n'irl sought to hide from view, 
So she ran down the mountain side 
Within the Rocky Ga]) to hide. 
And there behind a huge Pine tree 
So that tlie hunter could not see 
Her nakedness, she w^atched while he 
Went riding through the narrow way. 
She started at what met hei" gaze. 
It brought back tho'ts of other days 
When she a hapjty blithsome maid 
Dwelt on Nebraska's sunny |)lain; 
The canyon's walls so cold and gray 
Along whose feet she often strayed; 
Alas! but memory remains. 
Unbidden tears bedim her eye; 
She started up with a wild cr^^ 
The man had dropped his bridle rein 
Dismounted, left his horse untied, 
The mountain summit sought to gain; 
Came climbing up the mountain side. 
The maid ran up the rocky ledge, 
The hunter followed 'long its edge; 
Below them yawned a chasm deej) 
With rugged walls both bare and steep; 
Four mighty walls were towering high. 
The blue sky made its canopy. 
If he one step should miss, or her 
'Twas death within this sepiilcher; 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 41- 

But fearless on and up they fly. 
Until a cave the the maid passed by; 
As past the entrance, swift she sped 
She saw within, a j)anther's head, 
The wild beast sprang, from out its liar. 
A swift shot rang through the air, 
The beast rolled down the mountain side, 
Fell in the sepulcher and died. 
The now thoroughly frightened lass 
Climbed u]) another fearful pass. 
When Ben, the hunter, reached it there, 
To follow farther did not dare. 

"I sought to capture you; in vain, 

He cried, — "for you are free again; 

But I will tame you yet, my maid: 

Or so endeavor, 'till I'm dead. 

Or you my pretty one shall die." 
He looks up toward the azure sky; 
There on a rock far, far above 
Beheld the one for whom he strove; 
Yes, she was leaning o'er the edge, 
To watch the hunter on the ledge- 
He shouts but scarce the echo hears 
Until her fair head disappears. 
"She's gone; pure as the mountain snows. 
Free as the Western wind that blows, 
A wandering maid, a wandering man. 
The wife and mother has been slain. 
My vow, I'll keep it if I can, 

I'll see the maid again." 
His steps retraced, his horse beside. 
He mounted it, resumed his ride. 



42 THE SOD CABIN. 



The maid to get away was bent, 

She noticed not which way she went. 

And o'er a preci})ice she fell. 

What seems incredible to tell. 

She fell so hard, she made a dint 

Within the rock; a perfect print 

Of her small foot. 

The truth we'll own. 

The rock to clay was similar; 

It after hardened into stone, 

But left distinct, the foot-print there; 

And to this day the track remains. 
If e'er yon loll in Nature's lap. 
You search Wyoming's mountain cliains. 
You'll tind it in the Rocky Gaj). 

But where her foot imprints the rock, 

She forward reeled, so great the shock, 

And fell again, at distance great. 

On pine tree boughs she made her berth, 

Tliey gently bend beneath her weight 

And drop her to the mother earth. 

This fall, so grim and ])erilous. 

Unscathed, unblemished left the miss. 
As swift as ever hunted deer 
Fled from a band of deep-mouthed hounds, 
The maiden o'er the pebbles bounds, 
Nor scarcely stoi)s to see or liear, 
She sped along Twin mountain base 
Expecting that the man would chase,. 
Then deep into the forest glides. 
Within a darkened fissure hides. 
And rested from the race. 



THE FRAIRTE ROSE. 43 



She buried in her hands lier face 
And we})t; 

When life but saddess knows. 

What can a heart pour out in prayer: 

So she, to Him, her bitter woe, 

Poured out while hidden there. 
She did not raise her eyes again 
'Till darkness settled on the glen. 
When e'er a twig would crackle near 
The w^aif would start and shake with fear; 
Whene'er would come a muffled sound 
She feared some-one was lurking round. 

"Oh God," she cried, "your wandering child 

Rather than to that creature yield. 

Would perish in this dreary wild 

And furnish food for beasts of field. 
Then her old home upon the plain 
C'ame tlashing through her mind again. 
While all its pleasures, pictured bright. 
Made this seem more than double night. 

"Poor wandering father; where is he? 

Poor mother; cold in death is she. 

Poor Will: a broken hearted man 

From me forevei- separate: 

Oil! shall we never meet again? 

Oh cruel, cruel, cruel fate!" 
Then she would say, with lifted eyes; 

"What are our feeble trials here 

But richest blessings in disguise? 

While over yonder all is clear; 

Sweet rest beyond the skies. 

Ah! when our trials here are o'er 

We'll meet on yonder hap])y shore." 



THE SOD CABIN. 



While meditating thus in peace 
Her heart began to be at ease; 
She crawled into the crevice deej) 
Gave up to pleasant peaceful sleep. 

Which was indeed a boon. 
Twas in the stilly hours of night 
When all tlie earth with mellow light 
Was flooded by the tender moon. 
Tlie maiden doth in peace awake. 
Looks out into the night and sees 
Beneath the forest, through the trees 
The glimmer of a crystal lake. 
She left the crevice in the ledge 
And songht the silver waters' edge 
She stood upon the golden sand 
Where land and crystal waters meet; 
It was so [)leasaDt thus to stand 
The waters i)laying at her feet. 
To reverie and mnsing given 
First of the earth and then of Heaven, 
In silence stood an hour or more 
Upon that lonely lakelet shore. 
The first grey streaks of coming dawn 
Appeared above the horison. 
"Oh! welcome thou returning sun, 
Your brightest ray shall glad me on, 
'Till death, kind, w^elcome death, shall c 
Bear me sway to yonder home." 
Within a cliff close at her left 
Was found a rocky hidden cleft; 
Within its dark recesses found 
A roomv cavern, larue and round; 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Cpon its floor, she prone doth lay 
To wait the fast approaching day. 
Within a cave not far away 
A half a dozen robbers lay, 
One man was watching her that night 
As she stood in the moonbeams bright, 
He watched the girl. — the wretched knave- 
Until she passed within the cave: 
Then silently his plans he kept. 
And moved to where the robbers slept. 
The morning sun shone o'er the land 
AVhen Scarface and his wicked band 
Entered the cave, and gathered round 
The maiden; she was sleeping sound. 
"There never was one fair as she; 
But let her rest in sweet repose, 
Surprising will her waking be 
To find I ve caught the longed for rose." 
When she awoke, a saddened pang 
Shot to her heart as up she sprang, 
She gazed with a bewildered stare. 
Around at that vile grinning band. 
Beheld no friends on either hand 
But saw one fearful visage there; 
Vindictive, unrelenting, cold 
Malicious, vicious, wicked, bold; 
Yes, hideous; like a monster beast 
It gloated o'er its victory; 
It gazed on her, with eyes that feast. 
Like a wild beast upon its prey. 
The monster seemed to grow more tall. 
More broad, more hideous than before 



THE SOD CABIN. 



A misty veil floats over all. 

And she falls prostrate on the floor. 
Once more upon the rocks she lay 
Cnconcious of the band of men; 
Now muttering incoherently, 
Now^ strugiJ^ling much as if in ])ain. 
A given signal to the men 
They from the cavern drew away. 
Left her alone with Scarface Ben 
Who staid to watch her as she lay. 

When did her conciousness return 

Slie only woke to weep and mourn, 
In deepest anguish and dispair; 
White, silent, voiceless, sat she there. 

To all who think their trouble deep 
Are trials more than they can bear. 
Just think of this poor young girl's share 

Then o'er their sorrows cease to wee|). 

Ben told her not to weep and mourn. 

He was a friend and not a foe. 

A look of hate and bitter scorn 

She gave, which seemed to say. I know.' 

At this he drew him ])roudly uj). 

His eyes like wicked flreballs glare: 

"I'll make you drink this bitter cu]). 

You'll marry me or j)erish here. " 
With quickness to her feet she sprang. 
In clear defiance her voice rang. 
•You hissing snake, I'll surely die 
Kather than marry you," she said; 
"For by your hand my mother's dead. 
You caused me all this misery. 



THE PRAIRIE ROSE. 



Once dwelt I, in a ha])py home 
Within a canyon, flowered gay, 
But you into onr midst would come, 
To drive and scatter us away; 
When I dwelt in that happy place. 
A joyous blithsorae maid was I; 
You spoiled our happiness. Scarf ace, 
So e'er I'll marry you, I'll die. 

Yes, die, within this dreary wild, 

But may your life be ever cursed, 
You can destroy this feeble child, 
I'll meet my fate, let come the worst. 
By Heaven! 'till my limbs to stand 
Refuse, you shall not touch my hand." 

"Stand back!" in frenzy wild, she cried, 

"Stand back; if you know when you're safe.' 
To grasp her hand in vain he tried. 
To seize the maddened prairie waif. 

"You, — man, — who standi there in the door, 

Pray, in the name of God, defend me. 

Or into Eternity send me 

To save me from this monsters power. 

You, sir, look to me like a friend, 

And on your mercy I'll depend." 
"Hold Senor," quickly said the man, 
"An explanation, I demand. 
Of this affair, and where you stand 
Give it. and hasten if you can." 
Bold Scarface turned, a moment dumb 
Was stricken, that a man should come. 
With him and his plans interfere; 
He thought that they alone were there. 



48 THE SOD CABIN. 



He hissed and cursed through flcnclicd teeth. 

Then drew a dagger from its sheath. 

Bounded toward him at the door 

As thougli to carve him limb from liml); 

He got a blow that staggered him 

And felled him senseless, to tlie tloor. 

Then from a rocky shelf, near by 

Deerfoot, a bundle to the maid. 

Tossed: "Quick, put on these clothes," he said. 

"Together from this ])lace we'll tly," 

She seized the bundle, it untied 

And found within a huntsman's dress; 

His object she could only gusss, 

But on his kindness, she relied. 

She saw the chance for liberty, 

Hastily donned the huntsman's clothes. 

Sprang to a steed that stood close by 

And ended the wild Prairie Rose. 



THE DESERTED HUT. 49 



PAJ^S SfiGOnD. 

f IE BE5EETE1D HHT. 



It was an old log cabin, in 

A dark and hidden mountain dell; 

Within it sat a group of men 

On whom a gloomy silence fell. 

Their leader sat before the fire 

And gazed into its mouldering blaze; 

His lips would curl with bitter ire 

When thoughts of disappointed days 

Would come. 

He was a low browed man, 

With sharp black eyes and cheeks of tan; 

A livid scar above the eyes 

Of extraordinary size. 

His heavy jaws, th-y picture true. 

His bull-dog nature, through and through. 
Disturb him not, the others would. 
For he was in no pleasant mood. 
They sat in silence round the room, 
Arround them gathered, dark, the gloom 



50 THE SOD CABIN. 



While at one corner in a heap 
A man was laying, breathing deep. 
At last he roused and sitting there, 
He looked with a bewildered stare 
At those around, and fixed his gaze 
Upon the leader of the men. 
Who sat before the flickering blaze. 
His wrongs before him, 'rose again; 
In vain he tried to I'ise. 

And found 
His hands and feet securely bound. 
Ben noticed him and with a curse, 
He turned and told him to lie still. 
Or he would make his fate much worse. 
And give him to his uien to kill. 

"Ben;" thus the gray haired man began; 

"There are some things which T must know: 

Sir you must answer as a man. 

Why am I caused this j)ain and woe? 

Where is my wife and daughter too? 

And what do you intend to do 

With me?" 

"Ha! Luther," Scarf ace said, 
"I'll treat you now as you deserve; 
I'll bind and leave you here to stai-ve, 
Uutil from hunger you are dead. 
Then I'll drag you on the [)]ain. 
Let buzzards fatten on your brain; 
Let coyotes rend 3'our limbs asunder; 
Or else will let you lie and rot; 
Then from the place, away, I'll wander, 
But leave your skull to mark the spot. 
If e're again I pass it by 



THE DESERTED HUT. 



You know, the memory will be sweet; 
I'll hail it with a joyful cry 
For my revenge will be com])lete. 
x\s for your wife, that Indian chief. 
Her pain has given sweet relief: 
I should have kindly saved the maid 
And at her feet, a treasure laid. 
But foolishly she from us breaks 
Plunged madly in the crystal lake. 
We dragged her from the waters cold, 
And hanged her to a cedar tree: ' 
Sir Luther sank back with a cry, 
As Ben smiled at the lie he told. 

"Well it were better thus," he said, 

"The three of us will soon be dead. 

She 's better far, hung to that tree. 

Than live in his brutality; 

So I'm resigned. 

On Earth's fair plain 

We'll never, never meet again." 

He sank down in in a death like swoon. 
But when the light of morning shone 
And struggled through the woods again; 
He woke, to find himself alone, 
From him, de|)arted were the men. 
Yet scarce awoke, until he hears 
A muffled sound float to his ears. 

What is that sound? and shall he cry? 

"I cannot any more than die; 
If wild beasts, limb from limb should tear, 
'Tis better far, than starving here. 
I am prepared, if death is near. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



'Twill end all earthly care." 
He cried aloud. 

The footsteps cease; 
Then nearer, nearer to the place 
Thej' drew, while at the door, a face 
He saw. and begged for his release. 
•'Did Heaven to me a rescuer send?" 
The man replied, "I am a friend." 

The knotted cords were quickly loosed 

From arms and ankles, swelled and bruised. 

"How came you here, and thus bound too? 

Where are you from, and who are you?'" 

The stranger asked, in deep concern, 

The cause of this outrage to learn. 
Luther related, to the man. 
The story of his greif and ])ain: 
From when the trouble tirst began. 
To their sad fate u])on the plain: 
The death of daughter and of wife 
The blasted home and ruined life. 

"1 am," the stranger said, "a scout 

And known as Deerfoot, here about; 

Quite well I know from whence you came. 

The ])lace is a resort for game; 

All who have been there, will agree 

It has a fame for scenery. 

I've been there, and your face I know 

Remember you, two years ago 

A nearly famished man came by? 

A hunter drifted to your door. 

Wind was blowing, snow was flying. 

He fell exhausted on the floor. 



THE DESERTED HUT. 53 

Of his exanstioii nearly dying. 
'Twas I, you nursed me tenderly; 
Forget your hospitality 
I surely never can. 

But come, 
Go with me to my cabin home." 
The scout. Deerfoot, led from the place, 
He following with languid pace, 
Mourning his loss, with sad, sad heart; 
Next praising his deliverance, 
That Deerfoot happened there by chance: 
The scout, some consolation gave 
By saying that he soon would start 
Upon the trail, and down the knave. 
'•For all such men so low and bad. 
The world is better with them dead. 
You were so very kind to me 
That- 1, will your avenger be; 
Your wife and child may not be dead. 
Those may be lies which he has made." 

"Here in my cabin make your home. 

In peace and comfort, pray rest you, 

Until again, back shall I come; 

But rest assured before I do. 

From Ben Lane's lips the truth I'll know. 

Or lay his wr.'tched carcass low. 

Provisions, you will tind enough 

Here in, although my board is rough. 

I cannot loiter with you here. 

For every moment now is dear; 
Good bye." 

He through the door was gone, 
And left the man to weep alone. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Over his sorrows would he ponder, 
Endnring- grief and nntold })ain: 
It bears so heavy on his brain 
That mind and man began to wander. 
From the log cabin of the scont, 
Qnite well eqnipped he staited ont; 
He sought the deepest, darkest glen 
The most distant from any men. 
He little cared which way he went, 
Each day. it seemed more than an age, 
Of wandering; -his mind was bent, 
Upon a life of hermitage. 
Sometimes on wide extended plains 
Where sage brush grows a tsmgled net, 
And where it never, never rains. 
Tbe ground is never, never wet; 
A place where no live creatures dwell, 
Nothing to (|uench his craving thirst; • 
His head would throb, as though 'twould burst, 
His lips would crack, his tongue would swell. 
In vain the maii sought some retreat 
From the hot, burning, scorching heat. 
Unable, finally, to stand 
He'd lay with face upon the sand. 
When the refreshing breeze of eve. 
Would ])artially his jiain relieve. 
To struggle on, he'd rise again; 
And' keep on walking, t-hrough the night: 
The shining stars his guiding light. 
To leave behind the barren ])lain. 
Sometimes beside a stream Avould stand 
Within a dreamv fairv land; 



THE DESERTED HUT. 



Sometimes in the chasms, wierd and deep, 
Where Natnre, hidden treasures keep. 
Here on some mossy bank, he lay, 
Beside a clear and flashing stream. 
Gaze on the fishes at their play. 
Gaze on them, like one in a dream. 
He roused himself and seized his gun, 
Sprang to his feet to start once more, 
With, "God, oh God! Thy will be done." 
"This weary life will soon be o'er: 
And why, O why! should I thus do? 
O'er my sad fate, constant repining; 
My wife is, and my daughter too. 
On flowery beds of ease reclining. 
Why should I mourn over their fate? 
Weep constantly o'er scenes of gloom; 
They 're surely in that happy state. 
Where Eden's flowers forever bloom. 
So I'll look forward to the day 
W^hen I'll throw off this mortal coil. 
When Angels bear my soul away 

From earth and all its toil." 

****** 
Upon a scra'^'iy })eak commanding. 
View, magnificent, enchanting, 
A man, a gray iiaired man was standing, 
Nature, was he supplicanting? 
Nay, not so, though once in sadness 
Roamed he in earth's dark recesses; 
With despair equal to madness. 
When the western breeze caresses 
Stricken ones, dethroned of rigor, 
Often, impulses awaken. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Thrills the nerves with youthful vigor, 
Which for years old age had shaken. 

The atmosphere, so strangly drying, 

Even tears can't stand the pressure. 

Weep, there is no use of trying. 

Living has become a pleasure. 
On this rock bold and out-s])oken, 
With his hounds, stood Luther Stanwood. 
Three score years, yet looks betoken. 
Energy of j)rime of manhood. 
Hark! he hears a distant chorus, 
Tis the Sioux, their w^ar-whoop sw^elling: 
See! oh see! right here before us. 
Far below the Redman's dwelling. 
See the tepees dim and dusty. 
Far below, the village standing. 
And their shouts, bloodthirsty, lusty, 
Tells, on war, their way were wending. 
See the warriors leave their tepees. 
Leave their squaws and their papooses. 
Always anxious for the melees 
Which their yells ever enthuses. 

What has caused this scenes tumultuous? 

Screeching, running, yelling talking: 

Warriors seemingly exultious; 

Squaws howling, i)apooses squawking. 
Yonder liillside, there adorning, 
Li the golden light of morning; 
Is a brilliant line arraying; 
From savages never swaying. 
On them rush the Lidian warriors. 
Inflicting their savage tortures. 



THE DESERTED HUT. 57 



When that savage colamn towered, 
Did they turn and tlee like cowards? 
Did this band so brave and gallant, 
Swerve one jot from being valiant"? 
Did this little handful tremble, 
When they saw they were out numbered? 
Did they scatter and dis-semble? 
Or by fear were o'er encumbered. 
No, with gallantry not deadened 
By the overwhelming forces, 
Fought they 'till the earth was reddened 
By the blood of many courses. 
Fierce and long, lasted the battle. 
One by one the band kei)t falling, 

Fell and died, butchered like cattle; 
"Twas a scene, indeed appalling. 
The last man fell. General Custer, 
Fell, but falling wept he not; 
With what strength that he could muster 
Raised and tried another shot. 
A bullet crashing through his brain. 
Soon streched him on the grass again 
To rise no more. His s})irit fled. 
He and his noble band were dead. 
To and fro each warrior passes 
O'er the blood soaked sand and grasses. 
Yells were rising, falling, swelling. 
O'er the dead men, dancing, yelling. 
While their lusty howls were ringing, 
Bloody scalps in air were swinging, 
By warriors held. 

The squaws join in. 



THE SOD CABIN. | 

And hel]) along the fearful din. 

In the shadow of the forest, 

Two, a silent watch were keeping. 

Jjistening to the fearful chorus. 

From tlieir hiding place were ])eeping; 

These he saw from his ])<)sition j 

On the rock}^ precipice; j 

And he noticed their condition; ] 

Which indeed he could not miss. | 

Even while the battle lasted; 
For their features were contrasted. 
Ijooks and manners showed one out. 
To be a thorough western scout. 
One was youthful, small and slender. 
With expression soft and tender; 
Bi-ushed back from the marble brow, 
A mass of hair, like driven snow. 

From the ])lace where they were hiding, 

AVatched the terrible affray. 

AVhen the tunuilt was subsiding, 

(41ided noiselessly awa}'. 

Dee]) into the forest gliding, 

Silently they made their way. 
In the visage of the older. 
Some-thing recolection brought. 
It was Deerfoot: Ne'er a bolder. 
Braver man in battle fought. 
Who could be the white haired stranger? 
Certainly no border ranger, 
AVith featui-es of such line order. 
E'er was seen upon the border. 
Had Old Deerfoot found the ])rute? 



THE DESERTED HUT. 



Scarface's track so well had covered, 
Ben's bad deed, had made him rue it, 

Lillian he had recovered? 
Her face like monumental marble, 
Her voice was like the birds that warble; 

Her hair, though not like driven snow. 
Perhaps the pain she 'd undergone 
Had made it whiten as his own. 

Oh! was it her with him below? 
Obscene language and rough cursing. 
Insults to which she 'd been subject, 
'Mong the rough uncultured men 
Who drive the Redman from the plain, 
Caused her to unsex her person; 
If 'twas her that was her object. 
"Hasten me, oh, do not loiter. 
Mayhap, I have seen my daughter." 
Quickly down the rocks descending, 
Round the Indian camp went wending; 
Lonely in the deep recesses 
Of the wild and unknown forest. 
Plunged he madly through the forest, 
Plunged he through the deep morasses. 
For the foot-i)rints, searching vainly, 
Soon the night comes, dark, ungainly. 
He lies down to troubled slumbers. 
For his thoughts his mind encumbers. 
Hopes and fears he could not drown, 
In blankets wrapped he lays him down 
And there he lay, till morning dawn 
Lit up the eastern horizon. 
Disturbed the shadows in the glen; 



THE SOD CABIN. 

Tluni he arose to search again. 

His hounds refused his search to aid, 

To scent tlie traclvs couki not l)e nuule. 

He vainly searclied tlie forest thi-oiiuli 

To find a tr? ck or any chie; 

But the dry leaves left no trace. 

For the wind, the tracks erase. 

Hid the tracks of the departed. 

Left him sad and heavy-hearted. 

With the sun as guide and leacU'r. 

Onward went he weei)ing, crying, 

Seeking solace of the cedar. 

Of the night wind, moaning, sighing. 
Autumn passed and Winter comes. 
Winter ^)assed, again the Si)ring's 
Bright tiowei-s l)loom; but still he roams 
And nothing consolation brings. 
Every thing the man rejjroaches. 

On he moves and does not loitei'; 
One hot day a stream approaches. 

Bathes his feet in its cool water. 
There he sat in silence, moody. 
With his feelings more than bi-oody. 

Ahl no longer found lie pleasure 
In the over hanging mountains. 

No enjoyment in the leisure 
Lingerin<i- 'round the sparkling fountains: 

But in silence doth he languish. 
Suddenly from out the stillness 
Comes a cry of icy chillness; 

Comes a cry of sudden anguish. 
'•Can it ])e that man has uttered 



THE DESERTED HUT. 



Such a fearful cry," he muttered; 

"Yet it sounds so strangel}' human 

One mi<j:ht think it was a woman." 

Once again he hears the shrieking, 

'Twas a woman's voice re'sounding, 

'Tis a woman lie hears speaking; 

O'er the rocks he sees her bounding 

With her strange, wild cries still ringing. 

From the ledges, she comes springing, 

Graceful!}^ the last rock clearing. 

In the forest disappearing. 

Through the brush he hears her crashing. 

On toward him madly dashing; 

She stopped, from him, across the stream. 

First starting back as if affrighted, 
Then stood and gazed as in a dream, 

A new fire in her eyes alighted. 
A face once beautiful and fair, 
Looked into his with curious gaze; 
A mass of gray, disheveled hair 
Upon her drooping shoulder lays. 
In torn and tattered gown, stood she. 
In sad and sorrowful condition, 
The man imagined he could see 
Her look as if in recognition. 

"It cannot be! It cannot be! 

And yet' it is: 'Tis he! 'Tis he! 

My brain! my brain! 'tis whirling, turning; 

My blood is boiling, freezing, burning; 

My God! I am no longer human, 

I'm but a wild and crazy woman. 

I'm crazy, now, I see no man," 



THE SOD CABIN. 



And crying wildly, off she ran. 

Her voice resounding through the glen-wood, 

"Luther Stanwood, Luther Stanwood." 

Poor, desolate Luther; hearing 
All this moaning, wailing, shrieking. 
Sprang, the narrow brooklet clearing 
When his name he heard her speaking. 
On he dashed like one that's maddened. 
Wildly after her dei)arting, 
With his heart no longer saddened; — 
Stillness of the forest starting, — 
And in painful accents shrieking — 
"Ellen! Loved one! do not fear:" 

But the distant hilsides hear. 

And echo back the poor man's speaking. 

Soon she left him far behind her, 

In the forest, haniiing over, 

Much lie sought, but could not find her. 

Till her tracks the dark doth cover. 

Then he noticed his condition. 

Lacerated feet and bleeding. 

Without food which he Avas needing. 

Without gun or ammunition. 
Not a moment stopped or stayed he, 
Swiftly to the brooklet made he, 
Bark into the water tossing, 
AVay 'twas running, he discovered; 
Traced it downward to the crossing 
And equipments there recovered. 
Weary pacing, heavy hearted 
From the canyon soon departed. 
Off. through the rocks, he wanders slow, 



THE DESERTED HUT. 63 

AYitli languid pace, once more so sad; 
Those incidents, so lately, had 
Revived the thoughts of long ago. 
The memories of the happy past. 
And then the sorrow pain and woe, 
A shadow o'er the future throw; 
The storm cloud gathered thick and fast, 
Then it burst in all its fury; 
Like a torrent flowed his tears. 
And leaning on a boulder, surely 
Grief was mingled with his years. 

Disconsolate, he sat there, weeping, 

With Ellen lost to him forever, 

And Lillian without his keeping, 

"Till all rejoice beyond Life's river. 

When early morn awoke the sun 

It found him sitting on a boulder, 

It never found a sadder one, 

The night had made him ten years older. 
Once more he starts back to the stream; 
To catch the woman was his aim. 
If 'twas his wife, and it would seem, 
As though 'twas her that called his name. 
He searched the jungle's deep recesses, 
Sometimes listening eagerly, 
Even his breathing he suppresses; 
He even fancies he can see 
Her hidden in some darkened nook, 
Hears her weeping, wailing, groaning; 
She disappeares at second look; 
The weeping was the pine trees moaning. 
Ah! now, he surely hears her singing; 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Floating on the gentle breeze 

The sweet sounds come, sweetly ringing 

And float away among the trees. 

He spell-bound listens to the song 

As he had done long years before. 

How sw^eetly in his ears it rung; 

The same ns it once rung of yore. 

SONG. 

Sweetly at rest with my Father above ; 

ril rejoice when I chisp His glad hand; 

Where the Father, so tender bestowing His love 

On His children throughont all the land. 

What a comforting solace to me doth He send, 
When onr tears shall be dried and sorrows shall end. 

And over our slumbers, His vigils He'll keep; 
Oh (rodl let me sleep in that beautiful sleep. 

Farewell to the anguish that's bearing me low, 

Farewell to the earth and its sorrow and woe, 

The dark clouds that hover e'er over my head. 

Will scatter and vanish, when I lay cold and dead. 

She paused and silence reigned again, 
Then there resounded through the glen. 
With gentle, quavering, tenor voice, 
The second verse which was his choice. 
It surely had effect desired. 
For ere its latest words were said, 
Her eyes the light of Heaven fired; 
In terror she no longer fled. 

She forward sprang and fainting fell 
Into his arms. With beating heart 
He clasped her; but we cannot tell 
Their joy. They met to never part. 



THE DESERTED HUT. 65 



Oh wife rejoice, together we 

Shall roam these mountains wild and free, 

TntiKour Lillian we find; 

Then leave this wide, wild world behind. 

We'll find some elevated land, 

Prepared for use by God's own hand, 

And dwell where sparkling fountains play 

Until in death we pass away. 

Our Lillie lives, but she is gone 

I know not where. Long, long ago 

I saw her face, white as the snow. 

With a brave scout, as Deerfoot known. 

I, from yon distant mountain height, 

Gazed down into a valley fair. 

And saw a fearful battle there; 

Two others watched the fight. 

Deerfoot and Lillie, side by side 

Were hidden in the foliage green, 

But myself they had not seen. 

So, silently away they glide. 

And left me desolate and lone; 

I could not trace them through the wood. 

For in its dreary solitude. 

The earth with leaves were strewn." 

They stayed a few days in the wood 

Recruiting up her broken strength; 

AVhen stout enough, they thought, at length; 

They start for a high peak that stood. 

Within their observation, and 

They found near it a tableland. 

Perpetually frost and snow 

Rests on this grand old mountain peak, 

AVhile from its side continuous breaks 



THE SOD CABIN. 



A Stream down to a lake below. 

One side a gentle slope or swell 

Made this place quite accessable; 

But turning to the other side, 

A wondrous view there stretches wide: 

Before, a mighty cliff they greet 

That drops at least one-thousand feet. 

Deej) in the canyons, far below, 

A dashing stream winds to and fro; 

Its head is where the fountains play, 

Among the mountains. West and South. 

Rapidly running, winds away 

Far to the North and finds its mouth. 

Upon this elevated plain 

A grove of tall straight Pines is seen 

"This is the place where we shall stay." 
The old man said. They made their way 
Toward a clum}) of Cedars nigh, 
The place that pleased their eye. 
They reached the grove, so thick the trees 
That one could not progress with ease, 
A mountain ivy, seemed to grow 
And cover all the earth below. 
Even the trees were heavy vined. 
As through their boughs the ivy twined; 
Still it was but a rod or two 
Of this that they must struggle through, 
Then to their much astonished gaze. 
They came unto an open place, 
Within the center of the lot, 
A lonely and deserted hut. 
They hasten forward to the door 
Which open was, upon the floor; 



THE DESERTED HUT. 



In rags and tatters lay a form * 
Whose life had scarcely passed away; 
Examination showed him warm: 
While every thing near where he lay 
Was scattered quite })romiscuously, 
To show he died in agony. 
Face downward to the bloody sand 
He lay, 'till turned by Luther's hand, 
To see who in this place had died. 
"My God! 'tis Scarface Ben," he cried: 
And true enough, 'twas he indeed 
Who'd caused their aching hearts to bleed. 
And in return for ache and })ain. 
Death wreaked its vengence on Ben Lane. 
His wiry trunk, away they carried. 
Alone, his foiTu, in silence buried; 
By merely scooping with their hands 
A shallow grave, within the sand. 
Back to the hut again they drew, 
Thoroughly purged it tlirough and through; 
As if to cleanse it from all sin: 
They fixed the place and dwelt therein. 
AVithout a fear as to their lot. 

Leave them in The Deserted Hut. 



^24Jli^, 



68 THE SOD CABIN. 



m^2K WBmm BSM0S. 



"Ha! Ben, 3011 wished me for a mate, 
And that is why my man you hate. 
Because I would not be your bride 
You tear my chosen from my side; 
My husband, aye, my daughter too; 
I trust that she escai)es from you; 
Yes you, the wretch of all vile wretches; 
Oil God! grant she escapes your clutches. 

Hark! now I think I hear a moan: 

No! 'tis the echo of my own. 

They left me here, they tho't me dead; 

Oh! what a gash is in my head. 

Ha! see that Redman standing there. 

Don't strike my dauc-hter! have a care. 

Don't strike! ah! there, I got the blow; 

I am, instead of her, laid low. 

If she 's not in captivity, 

I'm satislied if I should die. 

My head! My head! My aching brow! 

I'm sailing, sailing, sailing now. 

Sweet to my ears, some music floats; 

It is the orchestra's sweet notes. 

Oh what a giddy scene! I'm dazed. 

Those brilliant lights: Oh what a scene! 

I certainly am quite amazed, 



THE MOUNTAI?^ LASS. 



To find me here, robed like a queen; 
The flush of youth upon my brow. 

The mana<?er a waltz calls, now, 
A handsome man glides down the hall, 
Stops at my place along the wall. — 
'Miss Kemp, my pleasure to enhance, 
Will you assist me in this dance.' 
Soon, in the waltz, we glided o'er 
The smoothly waxed and |)olished floor. 

On Luther's arm, so light I lean 
As we whirled through the dizzy scene. 
Just as a small, dark man we passed, 
My partner to me whispers low, 
*I would this could forever last.' 
And my re{)ly,— I would it so. — 
While o'er my brow, the pleasure flushes, 
My beating heart a moment hushes. 
We whirl in raptures through the change; 
I see Ben Lane's look of revenge. 
'Tis first on Luther, then on me; 
Luther looks back triumphantly. 
The music ceases; once again 
I am alone upon the plain. 
Ha! out into the forest. I 
Shall wander, there to die. 
If none my agonizing wail. 
Shall hear, none e'er shall know this tale." 
Then out into the forest speeding 
She plunged 'till limbs were torn and bleeding. 
Across the wide extended mains. 
The arid undulating plains, 
Till in a canyon, by a brook. 
The frosts of winter overtook. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Until thp birds again should come, 
She in .a cavern made her home; 
In loneliness, to soothe her })ain 
Until the flowers bloom again. 

Tlien the cold and cruel winter, 

'Kound the cavern seemed to center; 

And the air grew colder, colder, 

And the wind blew fiercer bolder; 

Through the forest, oyer river. 

Come a fierce and howling blizzard; 

And the woman sat and shivered. 
Often to her ears came floating 
Sounds, that seeqied like some one shouting; 
Father! mother! it seemed calling, 
Through the snow that fast was falling. 
In her torfiu'e, great, she shuddered. 
Scarce a word she ever uttered 
'Till herself, she could not hold her. 
Bounding out o'er rock and boulder. 
Thro' the pines and in the cedar, 
On and on, her haste would lead her. 
Calling, "Lillian, niy daughter!" 
And in painful accents shrieking; 
But the echo only brought, her. 
Moaning words the winds were speaking. 

Involuntarily she shuddered, 

Incoherenth" she muttered; 

Backward to the cavern turning. 

In her heart an aching, burning; 

E'en the very forests languish 

In the crazy woinan's anguish. 

With her cold skeleton fingers 

Raked together dying embers. 



CRAZY WOMAN CANYON. 



This heat with her animation 
Kept her blood in circulation. 
Thus she lived on, or existed. 
All the elements resisted, 
Freezing, starving, yea ill-faring. 
Inch by inch, was slowly dying. 
Of life heedless, little caring 
If death came, to end her sighing. 

Oh! the spring is coming, surely, 
For the tempests loose their fury. 
Once she in the brush was standing, 
Far away, beheld two footmen, 
Carelessly their way were wending 
To the spot, where stood the woman; 
And by their sight, so deep engrossed. 
Her motive powers, completely lost. 
Advanced they slowly, hand in hand 
'Till face to face with her they stand. 

"My God!" one cried, "of human creatures 
Whom to meet has been my share, 
Most woe-begone distorted features, 
None have ever equaled her." 
But White Hair gazed so tenderly 
Upon that face which once was fair; 
As though he e'en half fancied, he 
Could recognize, her standing there. 
With wild, wild shriek away she ran; 
Pursuing after her, the men. 
Up! up! o'er rocks and boulders flying. 
Ever shrieking, ever crjing. 
Then down a steep green mountain slope, 
She bounded like an antelope. 
Went plunging through the copse and bush. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Fell fainting in the underbrush. 

But. springing from its place of ease. 

And rest beneathe the forest trees, 

A frightened deer went speeding on, 

Tlie two pursuers, leading on. 

Led by the sound and not by sight. 

At last the sounds all died away; 

Bruised, bleeding, from the place she lay. 

Arose, still i)anting in her fright, 

And glided (piietly away. 

Later, u[)on a rock she stood, 

Her eyes tnrned to the deep dense wood. 

A lightening im[)ulse o'er her ran. 

With dizzy, whirling brain, began 

To scream. 

Away she madly dashed, 
Down, down, into the canyon deep; 
The rough decent, the slo})e was steej); 
Into the under-brushes crashed. 
Stopped, gazed across a narrow stream. 
Beheld a man as in a drea?u. 
"My husband! Luther! it is he." 
She raised her hands imploringly. 
Rubbed her eyes, again to see, 
Tlien said, "no! no! it cannot ])e; 
I see no man, my lot is sad, 
By overwhelming anguish mad." 
Away she ran, into the wood 
Not knowing that she was pursued. 
One day in melancholy mood, 
By sorrow was her soul imbued. 
As on a grassj^ swarth she lay. 
She sang a sad and mournful song; 



C'EAZY WOMAN CANYON. 73 

The song with Heavenly comfort fraught, 
Brought liope that life would not be long. 
Her husband was not far away 
When she began her mournful lay. 
With heavy heart, that's filled with i)ain. 
He hears the agonizing strain, 
And when its latest words were snng 
His own voice throngh the forest rung, 
Her words he echoes on the breeze. 
Like seraphs singing in the trees. 
The sweetest words that mortal tongue 
Has ever into music wrung. 

And with a wail 
She forward sprang and fainting fell. 
The crazy woman of the vale, 
Thus ends her .sorrows in the dell. 



^F 



74 THE SOD CABIN. 



Tliey rode together, side by side, 

From early dawn, 'till eventide; 

But once dismountino', steeds to rest. 

And then the sun was in the west. 

Without a word, a little vial, 

Old Deerfoot from his })ocket drew. 

And forward stepped, with curious smile, 

Began to wet those ringlets through. 

Thoroughly doth he saturate 

The raven ringlets on her pate. 

"The cause of this you soon shall know." 

He turned to where his horse was tied. 

Before her locks again had dried, 

They turned as white as mountain snow. 

"Come, let us mount and onward go." 

With tight girthed horses, on they ride, 

At evening, they overtO'jk 

Some cowboys.- camped down by a brook. 

The foreman forth to them advances, 

W^ith friendly smile old Deerfoot greets, . 

Then at the white haired youth, he glances, 

Unconciously, a step retreats, 



THE MOUNTAIN LASS. 75 

Then forward takes a ste}) or so, 
Whilst to his friend he whispers low. 
Deerfoot whence came this vuchero? 
Booted, spurred and broad sombrero. 
The long white hair in wavy, curls, 
I'd almost swear they were a girls." 
"I most forgot," old Deerfoot said 
This is White Hair, a fearless lad. 
He taken, was, by Spotted Tail, 
When but a kid. His hair was white; 
That is what pleased old Spotted Tail 
He thought to train him up to light. 
For when they had their war-paint on, 
The chieftain would exclaim to them, 
There goes the prophet of the Sun; 
Leave me my braves and follow him. ' 
He heard them plotting there one day: 
His blood was white; it made it boil; 
He tho't, 'your cursed plans I'll foil. 
Or try, that's all I have to say.' 
And so the pesk}^ little scamp 
Just watched his chance and left the camp, 
He came and told me of the trick; 
We'll make them blasted redskins sick, 
Or else I miss my guess; 

That's all. 
They plot for General Custer's fall. 
They have a devilish trap, now set. 
The bird, they haven't captured yet; 
If these good horses stay with us 
We'll be in time to save the muss; 
If they give out beneath our weight 
Perhaps we'll be to late. 



76 THE SOD CABIN. 



We've rode full ninety miles since morn. 
A long hard ride sure as your born. 
"With not a bite to eat at all 
Since morn?" He called out to the cook, 
(Wyoming's champion, Muldoon.) 
Quickly responding to his call, 
Around the tire, his way he took. 
Had them a supper ready soon. 
They supped and soon retired for night; 
'Woke, breakfasted, before daylight. 
'Twas early in the morning gray. 
They mount their steeds and ride away, 
First, to their saddle bags they tie 
Provisions, a three days supply. 
The journey, which they had begun 
For three long days they journeyed on. 
The third night, 'neath the forest trees. 
They rest in quietude and ease. 
"Tomorrow e'er the sun doth rise. 
On Custer, we shall have our eyes; 
Off to his forces, hasten we. 
Prevent the fearful massacre: 
Finish the work, assigned to me, 
Which was began by brave White Hair." 
Before the morning sunlight shines 
They see the blue-coats forming lines. 
Upon a hill not far ahead. 
Their well worn steeds they tied and fed, 
Then Deerfoot bade White Hair be still; 
For this he called the maiden fair 
Since he had dyed her raven hair; 
And she obeyed his will. 

He started off toward the hill. 



WHITE HAIR AND DEERFOOT. 



Alas! the battle had begun! 
The glittering lines the,y plainly see, 
The gallantry those soldier shone 
Was trnly glorious chivalry. 
With unabated fury raged 
The battle for an hour or more: 
In watching was White Hair engaged, 
And listening to its fearful roar. 
Like animals, to see brave men 
Shot down, before her very k-en, 
To hear the Redman's frenzied yell, 
To see them swinging in the air 
The bloody scalps, the matted hair 
Of brave men who before them fell. 
The fearful sounds, at last subside, 
The last brave soldier, now was dead: 
Their corpses scattered far and wide. 
The earth with human gore was red. 
"Here Deerfoot comes and I am glad 
For I had feared his safety; 
Of this scene, I, enough have had 
To make me shake with misery." 
"We were to late," — old Deerfoot said, 
"But quickly hither let us flee; 
Of Custer and his brave, brave dead; 
Ah! we shall their avengers be." 
They mount their ponies, off they fly. 
Up! Up! the forward landscape scans. 
But nothing meets their searching eye. 
With glowing cheeks and flashing kens, 
To rigiit aud left, their steeds they rein. 
Thro' wilderness and o're the main. 



THE SOD CABIN, 



All day they ran. all night they rode, 
O'er prairie wide, through denser wood. 
As to a cabin door they rode, — 
"This," Deerfoot said, "is my abode. 
'Twas in this rustic place, I left 
Your father dear, sadly bereft. 
In yonder cavern, cold and gray, 
I laid poor White Hair's form away; 
You look soTlie like him, though not tall 
Enough by two inches or more. 
A reckless lad, tho' that last fall; 
'Twas 5'onder cliff he tumbled o"er. 
'Twas he who in the tepees dwelt 
Among pappooses, squaws and braves, 
'Twas he the longing impulse felt 
The white men, of the plans, to tell. 
That meant to lead them to their graves; 
Prevent the fearful work of hell. 
As you somewhat resembled him. 
Your hair to dye, I thought it best: 
You take the place of him at rest. 
May be it was a foolish whim 
Of mine; but then, I guess you know 
What a disgraceful thing 'twould be 
If you about with me would go, 
To have your dress and sex agree. 
Of course you will agree with me. 
For e'er you in the right hands fall. 
We certainly are liable 
A hundred men to see. 
That's why this hunter's suit I gave. 
That you might thus your sex disguise. 



WHITE HAIR AND DEERFOOT. 



Your character from censure save, 

By so deceiving human eyes." 

They found the cabin desolate. 

No one had near it, been of late. 

"Your father has abandoned me, 

The cabin is deserted quite, 

Or else, in his dispondency. 

Went out to wander day and night; 

A little note to him I'll write 

And put it on the cabin door, 

So if he comes this way once more 

He'll know that you're allright." 
This done they left the solitude, 
But soon they found they were pursued; 
Then the exciting race began. 
On up the mount their chargers ran, 
AVhen in his saddle Deerfoot turned, 
Raised to his eye his rifle "Trust," 
The echoes bounded and returned, 
Each time a warrior "bit the dust." 
Assistance he did not expect. 
But she reached for his short carbine, 
And used it with deadly effect, 
With calm, cool and collected mein. 
With flashing eye and flushing brow. 
Old Deerfoot's vow. repeated she: — 
"We shall the dead's avengers be; — 
Like hail, they fall before us now." 
At length, so dense the thickets grow. 
Their jaded horses could not go. 
Dismounted, in their haste retreat, 
Their way for Providence to show, 



80 THE SOD CABIN. 



And with the flestness of their feet 

Escape the clutches of the foe. 

Fear of pursuit they have no need, 
For after capturing each steed, 
The warriors {Quickly made away. 
Deerfoot and White Hair lost no time, 
Nor in the thicket long did stay, 
But o'er the mountain tops they climb. 
Toward the western mountains, gray, 
To Powder river made their way. 
Upon its bank a hut they made 
A rock was its foundation laid, 
Its walls of stone, were laid up high, 
Witii one sniaH doorway: 

Standing by 

With over-hanging boughs a tree. 

Which formed the part of canopy. 

Tiie winter, desolate and bleak, 

Closed 'round them in this humble home. 

And rested on each mountain peak. 

Until, again, the flowers come. 

But with the wakening of the spring, 

Once more began their wandering. 

As down the canyon deep they glide 

One day, in a wild, rocky place; 

Not far before them, they espied 

A hideous figure, face to face. 

AVith earnest, eager searching gaze, 

She careful scrutinized each face. 

Then darted off with woeful wail. 

They following downward through the vale. 

So thick the underbrushes rise 

On her they could not keep their eyes. 



WHITE HAIR AND DEERFOOT. 



But by the sounds away are led, 

'Till they discover close ahead, 

No woman but a deer instead. 

They were returning to the spot 

Where first they saw the crazy woman; 

They heard a shriek, they knew not what 

Whether beast or fiend, or human. 

And Deerfoot said: — "Remain you here 

The cause of that, I will discover; 

If 'tis the woman lingering near 

Her tracks we yet may cover." 

Old Deerfoot never came again. 

His fate was never, never learned; 

Perhaps a beast the man has slain: 

He certainly never returned. 

No more would his protection give 

To her, its ever gentle care, 

A solitary being live 

To wander off, she knew not where. 

Fully awakened to a sense 

Of her responsibility. 

Prepares a journey to commence, 

And did so with facility. 

Thus well equipped with gun and knife 

Upon a journey started she, 

Determined to defend her life 

In case of an emergency. 

Though curious incidents were rife. 

She met with a contingency. 

She stood beside a crystal lake 

Which quiet lay in Nature's mold. 

Never a sound the stillness break; 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Around her silence wrapped its fold. 
Sbe hears a voice, and at its sound 
She starts, and quickly turns around, 
Surprised; for there upon the green 
A silver haired couple, were seen. 
The maid could scarce believe her eyes, — 
"Oh father, mother!" quickly cries. 

When they beheld this white haired maiden. 
Toward them thro' the brakes fast ruilning, 
Their hearts with woe no longer laden, 
Beat with rapture at her coming. 
She clasp them both in her embrace 
And showered kisses on each face. 
The greeting o'er, their steps retrace, 
Back to their new abiding place. 
While she related to their ears. 
The story of her grief and tears. 
From when she left the canyon grand, 
'Till meeting on the tableland. 
Then each, in turn, reflection cast 
Upon the agonies of the j^ast, 
"This union would be stranger still, 
If we should ever find our Will. 
We'll trust in Providence to lead 
Him here, if he is living still; 
And may that day the Heavens sjDeed, 
When Deerfoot for his noble deed. 
Receives his just reward. 

But lass. 
Did e'er you see so nice a place?" 
They brush aside the branches green. 
There in the center of the wood, 



WHITE HAIR AND DEERFOOT. 



Resting in quietude serene, 

A huge Sod Cabin stood. 

And never, never more to roam, 

We leave them in their mountain home. 



^^ 



84 THE SOD CABIN. 






Lin the Eocky Gap.] 
"Awake! awake! the snn rolls liii>li, 
It shines from j'onder fleecy sky, 
Upon my resting- ])lace doth break, 
And whispers to my sonl awake. 
This is the spot, the lonely spot, 
AVhere they should be, and yet, are not. 
This mountain stream where rainbows play. 
These rug'g'ed hills, the rocky way. 
Twin Mountains standing side by side, 
Ball Mountain's head have I espied, 
Away toward the Horse Creek lakes; 
And to the north-east, far away 
Rears Laramie's head, so cold and gray. 
This day of all I've held most dear. 
For we had planned a meeting here; 
I'm ready for the meeting near." 
***** 
"Not coming yet? What can it mean? 
How rapidly the day declines! 



THE MOUNTAIN LASS. 



I'll rest upon this swarth so green 
Beneath the shade of these tall pines. 

How fast the evening sunlight wanes; 

Why, I'm all excitement now! 

I'll climb to see them on the plains, 

By gazing from the mountain brow. 

The day is past, the sun has set; 

I look, but cannot see them yet. 

They would not disappoint me so. 

Unless something they did not know 

Has happ'd; 

Some tale of trouble tells 
Its story in those lovely dells. 
Three days, shall I await them here. 
If at the end, they are not near, 
My many steps, will I retrace 
Once more, back to that distant place." 
Back again 

'Tm back again! 'Tis like a dream; 
There lies the lake in quietude. 
Here flashes on, the sparkling stream; 
Birds merrily sing in the wood." 
The cedar grove stands to the right, 
And he approaches cautiously. 
'•The cabin is deserted quite. 
No signs of life about I see. 
The door swings back and forth, with ease, 
Moved gently by the stirring breeze. 
My God! The sight that meets my gaze! 
The scene is one of strange disorder: 
While in confusion all things lay. 
And blood, which makes me think that murder 
Has been committed in this dell. 



THE SOD CABIN. 



Yes Scarface is the brute or beast. 

That did the dirty work of hell. 

His savage heart's desire to feast. 

But, where are they, whom he has slain? 

He's dragged them forth upon tlie plain, 

Their carcasses have nuule a feast 

For vultures, or some hungry beast. 

The man and woman has been slain: 

He's taken Lill with him away. 

To make her lead a life of ])ain, 

To wear her ])recious life away. 

I'll follow him, I'll search the mounts 

Until revenge on him I've had. 

Until his bh)od has made a fount, 

And by my hand I see him dead. 
Oh I curse the brute that mars the lives 
Of ha])piness, as he has done. 
To des})eration, me it drives 
I'll end the work he has begun." 
This curse upon his lips, he starts. 
And from the lake and glen departs. 

[Ill the raonutaiiis.J 
Ho! hear the herald of the morn. 
Ho! hear the deep bay of the hounds: 
And loudly rings the hunters horn, 
The wild stag from the jungle bounds. 
Across the stream and up the steep, 
Tt bounds along with shambling leap. 
From binding chains the hounds are freed. 
They dash through bush and briar and brake; 
Will Curtis springs, upon his steed 
While mountain echoes, startling wake. 
Away toward the hill, the stag 



THE MOUNTAIN LASS. 



Leads 'till Will's steed begins to lag. 

He tlio t to capture it. at last, 

When in a narrow gulch it passed; 

For on all sides were towering high, 

The mighty walls of solid stone; 

Its canopy the pale blue sky. 

And no egress except this one. 

He heard the sounds receding far 

Back, back into the canyon there, 

From panting horse, dismounted he, 

And calmly sits upon the ground; 

Waits the return of deer and hound, 

But vainly for them waited he. 

At last he heard approaching him 

The distant sounds, though the}"^ were dim. 

They came not past him, but instead 

Were or a ledge high over-head. 

First, up the rocky height he gazed, 

Then at the running deer he blazed. 

His frighted horse bounds from his side, 

Around the rock below it hied; 

Left him not knowing what to do, 

The horse or deer, which to pursue. 

Determining the deer upon, 

Along the ledge the chase began. 

The deer and hound together run. 

At distance, followed by the man. 

Higher, higher up the steep, 

A yawning chasm, do they leap; 

Wild, dangerous passes do they meet. 

To fall, was fall one thousand feet. 

Farther, farther up the height. 

Brain was whirling, head was light, 



88 THE SOD CABIN. 



The scene the stoutest heart appalls: 
He closed his eyes, — he falls — he falls! — 
But no; with fearful energy 
He over-throws the mighty s])ell; 
Look not the dizzy height to see, 
Cp! up! and everything is welh 
But to retreat, a step to miss 
AVas death beneath the precipice. 
The dizzy height was reached at last; 
"Thank God," he said "the danger's past, 
I've lost my horse, my deer, my hound. 
But what a wondrous place I've found." 
"That grove of Cedars towering tail, 
AVitli mountain ivy overgrown; 
Pink flowers mixed with white and grey, 
Ui)on the clinging ivy vines, 
Which 'moug the verdant Cedar twines. 
Makes a magniticent boquet. 
The crystal lake, the waterfall. 
The mountain gi-ass by breezes blown." 
As if the mountain glen, to wake 
From sleep, he blew a mighty call. 
The sound vibrated to the lake 
And echoed round the waterfall. 
The Wj on the Cedar trees 
Shook, as if shaken by the breeze. 
It parts; he saw a faiiy maid 
Of i)urest type, beneath its shade. 
One can't imagine his surjirise; 
He scarcely could believe his eyes. 
But quickly drops behind the grass 
To watch the pretty mountain lass. 
"I heard a blast, and one I knew. 



THE MOUNTAIN LASS. 



89 



I've heard tlie same in days gone by," 
She said; 

It thrilled him through and through 
He oft had seen that flashing eye, 
That marble brow, with hair bedecked 
Ho gracefully, and form erect. 

"Oh Lillie, is it you?" He cried. 

And forward bounded to her side. 

A moment stood she in a daze, 

But one small moment did she gaze. 

And sprang to meet him then. 

The greeting was a joyous one; 

It paid for o'er a year of pain. 

Oh praises to the Guiding One, 

To lead and join them heart and hand, 

Upon this fairy tableland. 

While standing there in close embrace. 

Emotion nigh unspeakable, 

Joy pictured was, upon each face, 

The tender words of love they tell, 

Those trembling words, so rapturous, 

They spoke of future bliss. 

Toward the cabin went they now, 

Beneath the ivy covered bough. 

Within the center of the wood, 

A huge, well build Sod Cabin stood. 

And scattered o"er it entwines 

Thin fabric of the ivy vines. 

Thickly around the door doth lurk 

Upon a kind of lattice work. 

They were in bloom: a lovelier sigiit 

Was never seen on mountain height. 

Thev entered in the cabin door, 



90 THE SOD CABIN. 



They greet, a joyful cry; 

And tears, at meeting Will once more. 

Fell from each happy 6ye. 
AVhile thus their hearts together blend. 
The four in love and unity, 
And, why not leave them in the glen, 
To know no more of misery. 
And never may a shadow send 
Its gloom n]K)n this group again. 
But of their future, let us say 
That it was never mared with pain; 
They dwelt where bright the fountains play 
Until the flowers bloomed again. 
Quite often 'round the lake resound. 
Awakening with the early morn. 
The neighing steed, the baying hound 
The sharp vibrating of the horn. 

One year had passed, again springtime 

Had come. 

They, as the spring advanced 

Left for the vast inheritance 

Awaiting in an eastern clime. 

****** 
Now in that stately, queenly hall. 
Upon the summit of the hill. 
With brilliant splendor 'round them all. 
Reside the Prairie Rose and AVill. 
While both their parents with them dwell, 
Tales of the past they love to tell. 
Sometimes when Lillie, musing sits, 
A dreamy mist before her flits. 
And to her, sleeping memories come, 
Fair visions of a highland home: 



THE MOUNTAIN LASS. 91 

While all the guilded marble halls 
Have been transformed to sodded walls. 
Her frescoed ceilino- fades away 
To rough hewn poles and boughs and hay. 
More thickly grows the midst before; 
She stands upon the lakelet's shore: 
She sees the swan upon the deep; 
She sees the wavelets toss and leap. 
The lake, a sheet of living fire 
Lay flashing thus in Nature's mould 
Ah, one could look, and never tire. 
Upon this molten sea of gold. 
While standing, musing, she espied 
From 'neath the cedars at one side, 
A tall, fair man silently glide 
And take his station at her side. 
Who was that man with soft blue e^'es. 
As gentle as the turtle dove? 
'Twas Will, — her Will, — her own true love, — 
This was no dream of paradise, 
For Will was standing near: 
The dream was past, and all was clear. 
"The dream is past, let joy abound, 
And mirth and merriment resound." 
"Farewell, sweet mountain glen; 
Farewell, forever nu)re. 

The horn and ho.md no longer blend 
Their chorus as we speed thee o'er; 
No human hand shall come to break 
The silence 'round the crystal lake, 
No neigh of steed, no hunters call 
Shall echo 'round the waterfall, 
The cabin stands alone. 



92 - THE SOD CABIN.. 



Again i. 
I bid farewell to thee, sweet glen." 
Since then the mountain fires swept o'ev' 
And burned the ivy from the door, . 
The rotting door-frame stands alone 
Save idly swinigngdoor. with moan; i. 
Its hinges coated o're with rust: 
The walls have crumbled into dust. .. 



THE KND. 



Mk^ 



Mi 






